A program of The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado
Guidelines for Sustainable Business Practices
Food Service Industry Action Plan: .excel 
Hotel Action Plan files: .pdf
.excel
Printers Green Business Action Plan .pdf .doc
Various guidelines, rating systems and lists of indicators are available to help businesses, governments and communities evaluate how well their practices are moving them forward on the path of a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. These systems are helpful in creating benchmarks for environmental management systems, procurement guidelines, and goals. The key to all rating systems is understanding that sustainability is a continuum of practices, not an end state, unique to each entity.
CASBA members have collaborated to create these seven principles which lead any entity on the path toward sustainability: Sustainable Business Principles.
Here is a sampling of rating systems:
Global Reporting Index
The GRI vision is that reporting on economic, environmental, and social performance by all organizations is as routine and comparable as financial reporting.State of Colorado Environment Leadership Program
The Environmental Leadership Program is a statewide environmental recognition and reward program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (the Department) Sustainability Program. The Environmental Leadership Program offers benefits and incentives to members that voluntarily go beyond compliance with state and federal regulations and are committed to continual environmental improvement.Co-op America Business Network
The companies approved by Co-op America are the social and environmental leaders, representing the best practices of the top ten percent of their industries.
The following sustainable business rating systems are available for review:
Environmental Leadership Program (by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) (PDF)
Global Reporting Initiative (PDF)
Micro Business Development guidelines (PDF)
Co-op America Business Network (PDF)
Green Star (by the Eagle Valley Alliance) (PDF)
Green Restaurant Association (PDF)
Green Hotel Association (PDF)
ReDirect Guide (PDF)